Indicator



June 5, 1928.

J. s. REID INDICATOR Filed Jan. 2, 1926 IN VEN TOR JSonwruille Beid/ ATTORNEYS Patented June 5, 1928;

UNITED {STATES PA EN -or INDICATOR.

Application filed January 2, 1926. Serial No. 78,771.

This invention relates to indicators, more particularly for use in connection with chairs having folding seats, such as used in theatres, auditoriums and the like.

The objects of theinvention are toprovide an indicator which will enable an usher or other person to readily ascertain when a seat is vacant; to avoid annoyance of patrons which is usually prevalent when looking for vacant seats in theatres, auditoriumsor the like; to provide such a device which will perform its function in the dark or semi-darkness; to provide a device which will operate automatically; to cause the signal to be visible only when the seat is unoccupied; to provide a device which will not interfere with the normal operation of the seat or be in the way; to avoid the use of lights or other devices which distract attention; to provide a rigid signal and movable shield; to secure simplicity of construction and operation, and to obtain other ad vantages and results as may be brought out in the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a rear View of two seats showing one vacant and one as if occupied;

Figure 2 is an end view showing an unoccupied seat; 1

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing my improved indicator in use;

Figure 4: is an end sectional view taken on the line 4i-1 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lower portion of the rod in contact with a seat in lowered position.

From the following description it is to be noted that the reference numeral 1 indicates a chair to which my improved indicator 2 is attached, being attached by suitable means, so. as not to interfere with patrons passing in and out from the seat to which they have been assigned. The present meth- 0d of looking for vacant seats during the time of a performance taking place causes annoyance to occupants of seats by ushers flashing lights and otherwise inconveniencing patrons. The indicator 2 is so placed or attached to the rear of the chairs that patrons or ushers passing down the aisles will readily see vacant seats by observing the indicators. The indicator may be varied considerably in construction, but preferably consists of a device which may be seen in the darkness or semi-darkness of the theatre or other place where used. A suitable shield 3 F o a.

is provided for covering the indicator while the seat is occupied, said shield being slidable so as to pass over the indicator 2 as the seat is lowered, thereby showing seat is occupied or taken. I

The indicator 2 and shield 3 may be made of inexpensive metallic material, and simple in construction so that theatres, auditoriums and the like will find it economical as well as a'convenience in utilizing them on the chairs. Theindicator "is preferably of a dark color on which is painted a radium star 4, or other suitable configuration and is enclosed by some transparent covering 5,

such 'as a glass or transparent paper, through which the glow from the radium can be easily detected from a reasonable distance. In order that a vacant seat can be seen from the side, I have provided smaller configurations 4' on either side of the indicator 2 the metal being stamped so as to insert some suitable design of glass on which also is painted radium. With these radium configurations on the indicator unoccupied seats can be seen both from the side and the rear. I

The shield 3 is preferably positioned upon the rear of the chair 1 and is operated from the seat 6, by an upright control rod 7 which is attached to the bottom of the cover 3, being either screwed thereto as shown or permanently attached. The shield is slightly larger than the indicator, so as to easily chair 1 through which the rod 7 is guided.

The upper screw eyelet 8 is alsoused as a rest for the shield 3 soas to act as a shoul der or stop when the seat 6 is raised permitting the shield 3 to drop down to engagement with the saideyelet.

In order to obtain positive actuation of the shield I have provided a loosely fitted spring 9 upon the rod 7 below the lower screw eyelet 8 extending to the bottom of the rod on which is aflix'ed a shoulder member 10. To the seat 6 is attached an angleshaped metal strip 11, which comes in contact with the shoulder member 10 at the bottom of rod! and acts as a lift when the seat 6 is lowered, the spring 9 pressing against the lower eyelet 8 giving the rod easy upward play in moving the shield 3 over the indicator 2, as clearly indicated in the two positions shown by the two chairs A and B of Figure 1.

It is to be understood that the rod 7 must be an exact length, so as not to be jolted 0r pushed up too far or with too great force when the shoulder 9 comes in contact with the seat attachment 10. It is to be further understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the exact structure or design of the indicator and shield or other details of construction except as set forth in the following claim when construed in the light of the prior art. I

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

An indicator for a chair having a folding seat, means for normally folding said seat, an indicator member having radiant side and rear faces and opaque top and bottom lower end, a compression spring on said rod bearing against said shoulder for normally sliding said rod and shield downward, and a contact member on the seat-independent of said rod and adapted to swing into engagement with the lower end of said rod as the seat approaches its lowered position,

thereby sliding said shield and exposing' said radiant surfaces only as the seat ap proaches its lowered position.

J. SOMERVILLE REID, 

